'"High expectations," said Conklin about the Sabres. Conklin played in 11 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, registering a 2-3-2 record with a .871 save percentage. "I mean certainly every team has high expectations but this team has followed through on many of those so far. It's exciting to be in the locker room."'

'More significant to Zubrus, who'll wear No. 15, is going from out of the playoff race to a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. "It definitely gives you a little boost," Zubrus said. "With the last couple of years in Washington, you don't get to experience the playoffs or a real hockey atmosphere. This is a very good change for me. I'm very excited."'

'Zubrus is probably a rental player for the Sabres. His $1.85-million dollar salary this year helped Buffalo stay under the salary cap. But he's going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and reportedly turned down a three year offer from the Caps worth $10-million. Zubrus says he doesn't regret turning down that offer. "What difference does it make if you're hoisting the silver trophy?"'

‘Once the heir apparent to Dominik Hasek, Marty Biron was squarely back in the spotlight six days ago, and where others hightail out of the HSBC Arena locker rooms, Biron would have done two shows if the tickets were moving.’

‘”We expect to play good every night no matter who’s in the lineup,” said rookie forward Clarke MacArthur, who scored his second career goal and added two assists. “Even though we keep losing character guys, other guys step up. It’s been rolling really well.”‘

‘The four trades weren’t Bob Corkum deals. They were the sort of moves that showed the Sabres, who acquired no help at last year’s trade deadline, weren’t willing to take their increasingly inexperienced roster for granted.’

‘”You always wish you could do more,” Regier said before driving to Toronto for the Sabres’ game against the Maple Leafs. “You would like to be in on every deal. In a lot of ways, you are in a lot of deals moving in different directions. You hope to get [someone] you feel strongly who can help your team.”‘

‘The Lithuanian has enough speed to keep up with Ovechkin, and he has the size to keep the puck from opponents. Zubrus is 6-foot-4, 227 pounds, making him the second-largest Sabre behind Andrew Peters (6-4, 230).’

‘”There’s a bit of sadness when you look back on all these years,” Biron said. “I met my wife in Buffalo, my two kids were born here. It’s where I made my home. There’s definitely a lot of history there. But am I excited? Yes. It’s going to be fun.”‘

‘”It makes sense that the locker room wouldn’t be disrupted with Marty leaving because it’s how he kept it. He brought the locker room together,” Miller said. “We all learned a lot from Marty and how to handle yourself. He was always positive. We’re kind of talking about the guy like he’s died.”‘